Texas Woman’s University – Quality Enhancement Programs

Pioneering Pathways: Learn by Doing

AY 2017-2018Graduate Experiential Student Scholar Program

Quality Enhancement Programs, in partnership with the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence, invites applicants for the AY 2017-2018 Experiential Student Scholar Program.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Notification of Selection: Friday, October 20, 2017

Final Projects Due:Friday, April 27, 2017

(Date subject to change if project requires)

Contact:Ms. Kaye Garrison

/

940-898-4107

PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW

The purpose of the Graduate Experiential Student Scholar program is to engage students in experiential project partnerships with faculty. Experiential projects are defined as:

Inquiries, investigations, or projects that bridge theory with practice and require engaged learning characterized by active collaboration with a faculty mentor, application of discipline specific theories, real-world problem solving, and simulation of skills external to the classroom.

The program is centered on the student learning outcomes (SLOs) identified in the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan Pioneering Pathways: Learn by Doing.These include:

SLO 1: effectively connecting classroom theories to real-world experiences through practical application of knowledge; and

SLO 2: accurately assessing knowledge and skills related to personal or professional goals including collaboration, application, and problem-solving.

CATEGORIES

Projects with a service learning and civic engagement focus may be submitted in any category which applicants feel is most appropriate.

Applied Research and Creative Activity – Projects in this category are designed to utilize theoretical concepts in conjunction with primary and/or secondary data in developing solutions to real-world problems related to the student’s discipline. Examples include the creation of artifacts, products, programs, or strategies that contribute to solving the identified problem. Applied research and creative activity makes original contributions to the discipline by providing practical and actionable solutions to a specific phenomenon, situation, or problem.

Basic or Scientific Research – Basic or scientific research is hypothesis driven and designed to address and/or test specific scientific questions and theories. Examples include theoretically sound conceptual research designs which may include scientific experimentation related to the student’s discipline.

Internships – This category is intended to support and assist students in completing unpaid internships specifically related to their discipline. Students must complete projects that bridge theory with practice while completing the internship and must be supervised by a faculty mentor in addition to the internship site supervisor.

Education Abroad – This category is intended to support and assist students in completing courses or experiential projects while studying abroad. Projects must include a practical, applied, or hands on project directly linked to the student’s academic discipline. This may include an analysis of how discipline specific concepts are applied in the host country

ELIGIBILITY

Students must be currently enrolled TWU graduate students with declared majors and in good academic standing. Each student must receive the faculty mentor’s approval to apply for the program. The faculty mentor must be a TWU faculty member who has demonstrated success in mentoring students, an ongoing scholarly program, and proficiency in experiential education.

AMOUNT OF AWARD

Successful student applicants will receive $1,000 in support of their experiential project. The students will receive the award as a stipend credited to their university account.In instances where financial aid may be negatively impacted, students will receive the funds as research support. The faculty mentor will receive $500 to be used for supplies or equipment, professional travel, or other professional expenses related to the student’s project. The funds will be placed in the faculty mentor’s departmental account. Materials and equipment acquired with funds provided to the mentor/department under this program are the property of TWU.

COLLABORATIVE REQUIREMENTS

The purpose of the Experiential Student Scholar program is to foster student-faculty collaboration on experiential projects, and it is expected that the proposal be co-written by both the student and faculty mentor. Students must understand and articulate the appropriate questions to be addressed in the proposal and should write the “Description of the Proposed Project” section. The faculty mentor should write the “Expectations” and “Student Learning Outcomes” section of the proposal in consultation with the student.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The experiential project must include measurable student learning outcomes (SLOs) and align with the QEP SLOs.

The student agrees to attend an initial orientation regarding experiential projects and attend a recognition event. In accepting funding for the project, the student agrees to complete regular reflections and reports throughout the duration of the project and submit a final report upon project completion. Final report templates will be provided by the QEP. In accepting funding for the project, the faculty mentor agrees to submit the M-CAPS assessment upon the student’s completion of the project. Final reports, reflections, and assessments are due to Kaye Garrison no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2017 (date subject to change if project requires). The report must be reviewed and signed by the faculty mentor.

ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

Proposals are limited to no more than 5 pages and should include the following:

  1. Cover Page - with all required elements completed.(not included in the 5 page limit)
  1. Description of the Proposed Project – This section should be written by the student with input from the faculty mentor. It should include the following:
  1. A clear and concise purpose statement for the project; and
  2. Clear description of the project goals (3 – 5 sentences); and
  3. 1-3 desired student learning outcomes to result from project completion.
  1. Project Timeline: The student and faculty mentor should develop a specific timeline for the project which includes major milestones with estimated completion dates. If appropriate, the timeline should include completion of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and any additional university requirements necessary to initiate the project, such as human subjects approval. Projects must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2017 (date subject to change if project requires).
  1. Student and Mentor Expectations: The student and faculty mentor should clearly outline the expectations of the student (e.g. expected hours per week in the lab, studio, or venue, expected skills to be mastered in alignment with the QEP, expectations for participation in project meetings, expectations for frequency and content of journals/reflections, expected dissemination of project results, etc.). This section should not exceed one paragraph.
  1. Approvals: Students and mentors must submit all required approvals for projects involving the use and care of animals and the use of human subjects.

EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL

The QEP Advisory Council will review applications and utilize criteria from the National Society for Experiential Education’s Eight Principles of Good Practice. The principles may be viewed at In evaluating the proposal, the following elements will be considered, as adapted from NSEE:

  • Intention and Planning: Both the faculty mentor and student must set clear goals and student learning outcomes. Specific details outlining why the specific project is most appropriate for student learning is paramount. It should be clearly noted how the proposed project aligns with the QEP goals and student learning outcomes.
  • Preparation and Orientation: Students should be oriented to the experience.
  • Real-world Authenticity: The project should be of real-world, practical significance and bridge theory with practice. It should clearly be designed to address collaboration, application, and problem-solving.
  • Continuous Improvement and Assessment: A plan for monitoring students’ progress toward achievement of student learning outcomes must be measurable and appropriate. Reflection should be included as an integral aspect of the learning experience.
  • Acknowledgement and Dissemination: The findings of the project must be disseminated and shared in a peer-reviewed format, and students must submit a final product. Graduate students must include a list of scholarly forums, inclusive of academic conferences related to their discipline, in which they intend to submit presentation proposals. Additionally, the faculty mentor and student should indicate the journal(s) in which they plan to publish the findings of the project.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must attend an initial orientation meeting and present a poster at the recognition event. When accepting funding for the proposed project, students agree to submit the final reportand meet with Dr. Miloch and the Office of Marketing Communications regarding their project.

Final reports must be signed by the faculty mentor and submitted to Ms. Kaye Garrison at ND via hard copy to BHL 228 in the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence in the Blagg-Huey Library.

Texas Woman’s University – Quality Enhancement Programs

Pioneering Pathways: Learn by Doing

AY2017-2018Graduate Experiential Student Scholar Program

STUDENT INFORMATION
Name: / ID#:
Email / Phone:
Major: / Anticipated Graduation Date:
FACULTY MENTOR INFORMATION
Name: / Email:
TITLE OF PROJECT:
PROJECT CATEGORY:
Is the student applicant a recipient of other internal/external support? Yes No
If “yes,” briefly list the source(s) of additional support:
What is/are the anticipated venue(s) for dissemination of the student’s project results (i.e., Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium, Cultural Connections Conference, professional conference, publication, etc.)
ATTACHMENTS
Description of Proposed Project
Expectations
Learning Outcomes
Project Timeline / Mentor Budget
Approval of Animal Care & Use
Approval for Use of Human Subject(s)
SIGNATURES
Student Applicant:
I agree to work with the faculty mentor to complete the proposed work and adhere to the requirements of this program:
Signature: / Date:
Faculty Mentor:
I agree to work with and mentor the student applicant as outlined in this application:
Signature: / Date:

1